Casino night benefits Armenian orphans

October 06, 2010|By Ruth Sowby

(Ruth Sowby )

Yerevan Casino Night & Tournament was a lot closer to home than Armenia. In fact, it was right in the middle of Brand Boulevard on Sunday. Club NYX hosted the event on behalf of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR). Dozens of supporters filled the club to give their all to charity. Gaming tables were packed, heavy appetizers were plentiful and silent auction tables were filled.

SOAR-L.A. President Kohar Pelter said the national, nonprofit organization's aim is to provide humanitarian relief to more than 1,200 children living in 15 orphanages in Armenia. To that end, $15,000 was raised from donors before the Sunday event, with about $25,000 more in proceeds expected from the evening. Guests purchased gaming "play money" in increments—$10 bought $50 in play money all the way to $100 for $800 in play money. Many spent their "money" at the Black Jack tables.

One of the Platinum sponsors who donated $5,000 included Arthur and Lily Seredian. Committee volunteers who donated their time were Tony Gafafyan, Ester Hodikian, Christine Karakozian, Arpineh Khodagholian and Lily Bagumyan.

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Rapper-emcee Super Sako kept the action moving by urging the crowd to buy raffle tickets. SOAR-L.A. Secretary Ani Shabazian was greeter extraordinaire. Along with Pelter, Shabazian was one of the founding members of SOAR's Los Angeles Chapter, established in 2007. Members of this local chapter, in charge of the evening, have sent more than $84,000 in humanitarian assistance and capital repairs to Armenian orphans and orphanages.

Event proceeds will renovate the on-site treatment clinic at Kharpert, the largest orphanage in Armenia serving children with disabilities.

National Charity League Sellabrates used stuff

For the largest rummage sale in town, National Charity League wins hands down with its annual Sellabration. Crowds lined up at Pacific Edison Community Center before the 9 a.m. opening on Saturday. Once inside, those in the know headed to the used books and new merchandise sections. New merchandise included dresses, some sporting the Kandy Kiss label, perfect for teens.

Members of the league's Glendale chapter spent months collecting the thousands of items in more than 125 mother-daughter teams. Each team was charged with donating 30 items or more to the event. On the floor were 140 moms and 60 Ticktocker daughters—all at the ready to help customers and encourage sales.